The King's Arrow eBook

While this genial spirit of contentment and good will
prevailed around the fire, a tall Indian stood within
the shadow of the forest, and watched the scene with
much interest and curiosity. At length he stepped
forth into the flame-lit circle, and walked deliberately
over to where Dane was seated. His presence
was at once noted, and a sudden hush fell upon the
gathering.

“Hello, Pete!” Dane exclaimed in surprise.
“Where have you come from, and what do you
want?”

The native replied in the deep guttural Indian tongue,
and what he said caused Dane to start, while an expression
of anxiety overspread his face. He asked a question
in the same language, with which he was quite familiar,
and when it had been answered, he turned to the intensely
interested group around him.

“I am sorry to have to leave you,” he
announced, “but I must go at once, as I am needed
up river.”

“Is it anything serious?” Jean asked in
a low voice.

“I am afraid so,” Dane replied.
“I told you that Pete would suddenly turn up
with important news, and I was right. The rebels
are stirring up trouble.”

“But you must see daddy before you go,”
Jean said. “He will be greatly disappointed
if you don’t.”

“Certainly I must see him. Let us go at
once, as there is no time to lose.”

Together they made their way to the house, leaving
the people around the fire gazing curiously after
them. As they entered, they saw the Indian bending
over the sleeping child, and watching it most intently.
Mammy was standing by on the defensive, fearful lest
she was about to lose her little charge.

“Doan let him take her, Mistah Dane,”
she cried. “I can’t spare Babby.
Drive him out ob de house.”

Pete at once straightened himself up to his full height,
and smiled as he looked upon the agitated woman.

“Injun no tak’ babby,” he said.
“Injun no cabin. Babby no mamma.”

“Bress de Lo’d fo’ His goodness!”
Mammy fervently exclaimed, lifting on high her hands,
“and let all de earf gib t’anks unto His
holy name fo’ ebber an’ ebber.”

The Colonel was greatly interested over Dane’s
departure, and asked him several questions.

“I can tell you very little now,” the
young man replied. “That the rebels are
up to some mischief is quite certain. Pete has
found out where they are to meet to-morrow night,
so we must be on hand to learn their plans.”

“Is it far from here?”

“Quite a distance. We shall take the canoe,
and make it in several hours.”

“Why not wait until daylight?”

“That would not do, as we need darkness for
such work. The rebels must not know of our presence.”

“Will there be any danger?” Jean enquired.

Dane smiled as he looked upon her sober face, and
saw the anxious expression in her eyes.

“Nothing to worry about,” he replied.
“To some it might be a dangerous undertaking,
but Pete and I have been at it so long that it has
become almost second nature to us.”